No Word Yet on Any Congressional Extension of Medicare’s Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire September 30

September 26, 2025

Please note: The Medicare telehealth flexibility of prescribing schedule II-V controlled substances via telemedicine, without a prior in-person visit, will not expire until Dec. 31, 2025.
 
Several pandemic-era Medicare telehealth and payment flexibilities that were set to expire on March 31, 2025, were given a reprieve through Sept. 30, 2025, following action by Congressional lawmakers.

While this reprieve was good news, short-term extension creates uncertainty for healthcare professionals, including those who may not further invest in virtual care if reimbursements are unpredictable.

These are the Medicare telehealth flexibilities set to expire Sept. 30, 2025:

• Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental healthcare in their homes with no geographic restrictions.
• Physicians can offer telehealth mental health consultations without having to meet with Medicare patients in person beforehand.
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can serve as Medicare distant site providers for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services and providers will receive payment for such services.
• The payment of audio-only telehealth services will continue for non-behavioral/mental telehealth visits, such as Medicare patients who decline in-person visits or do not have the capabilities of audio-video interaction.
• Physicians can use telehealth to meet with patients before hospice care recertification.

ISMS will keep you informed about any updates.

If you have questions, please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.